PITTSBURGH - A resident of Miami, FL pleaded guilty in federal
court to a charge of conspiring to distribute kilograms of cocaine, United
States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.
Sebastian Velasquez, age 29, pleaded guilty to a charge of
conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine before Senior United
States District Judge Donetta W. Ambrose.
In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised
that from October 2017 through July 2018, Velasquez and his co-conspirators
conspired to distribute between 50 to 150 kilograms of cocaine in the Western
District of Pennsylvania. Velasquez’s co-conspirators obtained the supply of
cocaine and physically transported kilograms of cocaine via bus from
Philadelphia to Pittsburgh roughly twice a month for the nine-month period. In
connection with this investigation, the United States seized nearly $8,000,000
in cash and other assets; 42 kilograms of cocaine; 12 kilograms of fentanyl;
three kilograms of heroin; and 121 grams of oxycodone.
Velasquez’s co-defendants,Moussa Jabateh and Danny Jackson,
both plead guilty in October and are awaiting sentencing.
Senior Judge Ambrose scheduled sentencing for on March 19,
2020 at 11:00 a.m. The law provides for a total sentence of not less than 10
years and up to life in prison, a fine of $10,000,00, or both. Under the
Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the
seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the
defendant.
Pending sentencing, the court continued the defendant’s
bond.
Assistant United States Attorneys Tonya Sulia Goodman and
Mark V. Gurzo are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the
Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Greater Pittsburgh Safe Streets Task Force, which includes the Pittsburgh
Bureau of Police, the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, the Pennsylvania
Attorney General’s Office, the Wilkinsburg Police Department, and the Allegheny
County Adult Probation Office, conducted the investigation that led to the
prosecution of Velasquez
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